The New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association has offered a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for vandalizing a memorial to a fallen state trooper in Cape May County.

According to the New Jersey State Police, the memorial for Trooper Bertram Zimmerman along Route 83 in Dennis Township was defaced; the damage was reported to authorities on Wednesday.

Cops say someone, "used white caulk to write a derogatory phrase on the pavers and to deface the front of a granite monument in the center of the memorial."

The in-memoriam page on the State Police's website says Tpr. Bertram T. Zimmerman III was born on August 29, 1971 in Camden. Prior to enlisting in the New Jersey State Police, he was a Special Police Officer for Gloucester Township and then an officer for the Evesham Township Police Department. In the early morning hours of February 5, 2004, Zimmerman was working as part of a team that was investigating recent armed robberies at area convenience stores. He was responding to assist in a robbery call from the Dennisville area when his troop car went out of control and struck a utility pole on Route 83 near Route 9 in Dennis Township. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Trooper Zimmerman was 32 years old.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the NJSP's Woodbine Station at (609) 861-5698.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

12 Animals That Are Illegal to Own as Pets in New Jersey

More From WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM